Induction powered panels

Abstract

A vehicle includes a movable panel having an electronic device; a power source; a data source; and a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and is further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle, comprising:
 a removable panel comprising an electronic device; 
 wherein the removable panel of the vehicle is: a tailgate; a door; a roof; a trunk lid; a lift gate; a convertible top; a headrest; or, a hood 
 a power source; 
 a data source; and 
 a connector configured to selectively couple the removable panel to the vehicle, the connector configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the removable panel to the power source and the data source. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the removable panel is pivotally attached to the vehicle via a hinge; and 
 the connector is disposed at the hinge. 
 
     
     
       3. The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises:
 a first connecting element coupled to the vehicle; 
 a first coil wrapped around the first connecting element; 
 a first modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the first coil, and disposed to receive power from the power source and data from the data source; 
 a second connecting element coupled to the removeable panel; 
 a second coil wrapped around the second connecting element; and 
 a second modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the second coil, and disposed to provide power and data to the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       4. The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the connector further comprises:
 a first amplifier disposed in signal communication between the first modulator-demodulator and the first coil; and 
 a second amplifier disposed in signal communication between the second modulator-demodulator and the second coil. 
 
     
     
       5. The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element comprises a ferrous material. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle of  claim 3 , further comprising an interface associated with one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the interface comprising a ferrous material, wherein a respective one of the first coil and the second coil is wrapped around the interface. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic device comprises: a camera; a proximity sensor; a light; or, a switch. 
 
     
     
       8. A connector adapted to selectively couple a moveable panel having an electronic device to a vehicle having a power source and a data source, the connector comprising:
 a first connecting element adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, the first connecting element comprising a first coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a first modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the first coil and adapted to receive power from the power source and data from the data source; 
 a second connecting element adapted to be coupled to the moveable panel, the second connecting element comprising a second coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a second modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the second coil and adapted to provide power and data to the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       9. The connector of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first amplifier disposed in signal communication between the first modulator-demodulator and the first coil; and 
 a second amplifier disposed in signal communication between the second modulator-demodulator and the second coil. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element comprises a ferrous material. 
     
     
       11. The connector of  claim 8 , further comprising an interface associated with one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the interface comprising a ferrous material, wherein a respective one of the first coil and the second coil is wrapped around the interface. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle, comprising:
 a movable panel comprising an electronic device; 
 a power source; 
 a data source; and 
 a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle, the connector configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source; 
 the connector further comprising: 
 a first connecting element coupled to the vehicle, the first connecting element comprising a first coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a first modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the first coil and adapted to receive power from the power source and data from the data source; 
 a second connecting element coupled to the moveable panel, the second connecting element comprising a second coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a second modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the second coil and adapted to provide power and data to the electronic device.